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  • How to Do Business with Gwinnett County | Expert Workshop with Gwinnett County Purchasing

    • March 24, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • In Person at GEC 405 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville
    Register

    How to Do Business with Gwinnett County

    In-person and online | Interactive | Free | No Membership Required

    If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner who’s ever wondered “How do I actually do business with the County?” then this expert workshop is for you.

    Join us for a practical, insider-led session with the Gwinnett County Purchasing Division that breaks down the process step by step and shows you exactly how to get started.

    This is not theory. This is real, actionable guidance straight from the people who manage County purchasing every day.

    What You’ll Learn

    During this interactive workshop, the Gwinnett County Purchasing team will walk you through:

    • How to become a registered supplier with the County

    • How to use the County Purchasing website to:

      • Register as a supplier

      • Find current bids and RFPs (Requests for Proposals)

      • Track upcoming contracting opportunities

    • The difference between bids, RFPs, and other solicitation types

    • How the County works with suppliers

    • How to prepare your business to successfully compete for County work

    • Information on regular training events for current and prospective vendors

    • A live Q&A session to get your specific questions answered

    You’ll also learn about ongoing opportunities to connect with the County, including:

    • Quarterly Virtual Purchasing Clinics, which spotlight specific County departments, upcoming opportunities, and how to work with them

    • The Annual In-Person Supplier Networking Event, where businesses can meet County departments, build relationships, and explore new opportunities face to face

    Why Small Businesses Love This Workshop

    Attendees walk away with:

    • A clear roadmap for doing business with the County

    • Confidence navigating the purchasing system and website

    • Insider tips that save time and prevent costly mistakes

    • Awareness of real, upcoming opportunities, not just general info

    • Direct access to County purchasing expertise

    Presenter

    Dana Garland, CPPB, FOII, NIGP-CPP
    Purchasing Manager, Gwinnett County

    Dana has been with Gwinnett County for over 24 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to every presentation. She is a trusted, engaging speaker who has presented at the Center many times, and small business owners consistently say they leave her sessions with practical, actionable information they can use immediately.

    If you want to grow your business, diversify your revenue, and learn how to tap into County contracting opportunities, this is a workshop you won’t want to miss.

    ________________________________________

    For further information please contact Greg Goebel, Program Coordinator at the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center at GEC@GwinnettCounty.com.
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  • Small Business Early Morning Collective | Meeting at Cornerstone Coworking | Registration Required

    • April 01, 2026
    • 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
    • In Person at Cornerstone Coworking 279 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
    • 34
    Register


    Free registration is required. 

    The GEC Small Business Collectives provide a comfortable and confidential environment for small business entrepreneurs to share ideas and discuss the challenges of business. These peer-to-peer gatherings last for 90 minutes, providing a convenient opportunity for busy individuals to come together, network, and collaborate.

    Registration is free, open to the public. Coffee & water provided. Feel free to bring your breakfast. 

    Early Morning Collective

    In person on Wednesday, April 1 at

    Cornerstone Coworking

    279 W Crogan St,

    Lawrenceville, GA 30046

    7:30am - 9:00am

    Thank you to our host: 


    Thank you to Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious for providing food! 


    Visit our Small Business Collectives Page

    Contact Greg Goebel at GEC@GwinnettCounty.com


    Note: Our small business programs are specifically geared toward adults who are starting or running a small business. In addition, our building is specifically set up as an adult learning and business center. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate children in our groups, classes, workshops, and other events.

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  • Entrepreneur Center Tour

    • April 01, 2026
    • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
    • 405 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
    Register


    If you are interested in learning more about what the Center offers, a great first step is a visit. To accommodate that we are pleased to offer Staff-guided scheduled tours.

    The Staff-guided Tour will walk you through in small groups, escorted by a Center staff member.

    This one-hour tour offers direct insight into the benefits, purpose and mission of the Center as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.

    For more information about the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center visit www.GwinnettEntrepreneurCenter.com  


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  • Virtual Entrepreneur Center Tour

    • April 07, 2026
    • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
    • Virtual
    Register


    Note: This is a virtual tour. To register for an in-person tour, visit our tours page. 

    If you are interested in learning more about what the Center offers, a great first step is a visit. To accommodate that we are pleased to offer Staff-guided scheduled tours. 

    This one-hour tour offers direct insight into the benefits, purpose and mission of the Center as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.

    For more information about the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center visit www.GwinnettEntrepreneurCenter.com  


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  • Entrepreneur Center Tour

    • April 17, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 405 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
    Register


    If you are interested in learning more about what the Center offers, a great first step is a visit. To accommodate that we are pleased to offer Staff-guided scheduled tours.

    The Staff-guided Tour will walk you through in small groups, escorted by a Center staff member.

    This one-hour tour offers direct insight into the benefits, purpose and mission of the Center as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.

    For more information about the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center visit www.GwinnettEntrepreneurCenter.com  


    Show details

  • Expert Workshop: Building the Right Business Structure with Peter Hildebrandt

    • April 21, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • In Person at GEC 405 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville
    • 45
    Register


    Expert Workshop: Building the Right Business Structure with Peter Hildebrandt 
    The wrong business structure can cost you money, create legal risk, and limit your growth.

    The right structure protects your work, reduces risk, and sets you up to scale with confidence.

    This practical workshop helps you understand the key decisions that protect your business and keep you compliant from day one.

    Doors open at 5:30pm for networking. 

    In-Person | Interactive | Free | No Membership Required

    What You’ll Learn

    • LLCs vs. other business structures

    • How structure affects liability and taxes

    • Business insurance basics

    • Required registrations (IRS, Georgia, local license)

    What You’ll Walk Away With

    • Clarity on the right structure for your business

    • A simple checklist of required filings

    • Confidence you’re operating legally and safely

    Workshop Format (90 Minutes)

    • 15 min Welcome & Icebreaker

    • 45 min Expert Presentation

    • 30 min Q&A and Discussion

    Who This Is For

    • New entrepreneurs

    • Growing small businesses

    • Owners unsure about their setup

    • Founders preparing for expansion 

    What This Is Not

    • Personalized legal advice

    • Advanced tax planning

    • A bookkeeping class

    • A place to sell business services to others 

    Meet Our Presenter: Peter Hildebrandt

    Peter Hildebrandt is a serial entrepreneur and product development professional as well as a certified SCORE mentor. Having started and sold several small businesses and consulted with many large companies, he loves business. His startups have included 3D molecular modeling, weather forecasting, gourmet brownies, photo processing software, and more. From 2000 until 2013, he was responsible for long-range research, product development, product marketing, and intellectual property for a division of Steelcase (a Fortune 500 company). He currently owns a manufacturing business (Aria Lights) which makes music stand lights for professional musicians and consulting practice (Covetability) that helps companies choose the right products to build.  

    For more information, contact Greg Goebel, Program Coordinator at the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center: GEC@GwinnettCounty.com.

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  • Dare to Lead by Brene Brown | Small Business Book Club at Norcross Library

    • May 11, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • GCPL Norcross Branch at 5735 Buford Hwy, Norcross, GA 30071
    Register


    About the Book Club

    This group isn't just about reading, it's about dynamic interactions that can reshape your business strategies. Join us to engage in insightful discussions and connect with likeminded entrepreneurs.

    We open with a brief book talk, followed by interactive discussion of the topic. Please stay after for some open networking time! 

    • Open to any sector
    • Free registration, no cost to attend
    • Open to any stage of business
    • Read the book or just listen in

    About the Book

    Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:

    How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?

    In Dare to Lead, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions of readers have come to expect and love.

    Contact: Greg Goebel at GEC@GwinnettCounty.com

    __________________________________________________________________

    Sponsored by A Circle of Love Homecare. Thank you!

    Note: Our small business programs are specifically geared toward adults who are starting or running a small business. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate children in GEC groups, classes, workshops, and other events.

    Show details

Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center. 405 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

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